Pony Up

One thing y'all might not know about me is how much I love horses. I grew up around horses, and was climbing into a saddle soon after I could walk. I absolutely adore them. I spend a good chunk of my childhood riding western pleasure and going to horse shows to cheer on my best friend.

So, after I left NYC, I flew out West to my parents summer home in Montana. All I wanted out of the trip, was to get back on a horse.

And I did.

We went for a trail ride with Tara of Selway Adventures--who, was awesome, by the way--love her, and the Selway outfit. They have a three day women only trail rides in Paradise, Idaho and I totally want to go on that! (Sara, you in?!)

It was a beautiful trail, and a gorgeous day.

This is Tara--everyone say hi to Tara. "Hiiii, Tara".

Oh, and her mule, Molly Sue.



Crazy, huh?

The cabin we rode out to--four miles back in the canyon.

My baby for the day, Curly.
Redhead twins!



Being back on a horse was so much fun, and had I been given the chance, I would have stayed out there all day. I'd love to spend more time out there with Tara and her crew, it was really a blast!

Can't wait to get back in the saddle again!

The Phantom of The Opera

On Thursday night of our trip, we went to see The Phantom of the Opera which was playing at The Majestic Theater, just down from our hotel. I mean, it can't get much better than Phantom on Broadway.

My sis and I decided on Phantom a few months ago—in an ideal world, Les Mis would have been playing, since, it’s my all time favoritest and none of the girls had ever seen it, so, I thought that would be fun, but, sadly, it left Broadway for good years ago (it’s still playing on West End—London or bust, baby!)….Anyways. Phantom. Broadway go.

We had a super big dinner at Carmine’s before the show, wherein my nieces and I gorged on garlic cheese bread and meatballs. I then attempted to try some signature drink or something and it was pretty, but, not good. I tried pawning it off on the girls, but, no takers, so, I spent the night sneaking sips of their Cokes. Because I’m awesome like that.

Inside the lobby of The Majestic--so flippin' pretty.

Ohhh, ya know, view from our seats (like a good patron, I took no photos during the play). We were in the FOURTH ROW. Sorry, I know that was shouty, but, I'm still not over it. You could see their makeup! (my new goal in life is to have fourth row seats or better in every play I see. It's gonna cost me a pretty penny, but, damn, worth it)

Love. L.O.V.E.
From our seats--that's the famous Phantom chandelier. There is no zoom on this picture!
Me and my sis.
The reason for our amazing trip, these girls. Taylor, Paige and Bailey. I love Taylor and Paige in this shot!
There is a really cute one of Taylor, Paige and I on the way to the show, but, it's on Taylor's camera and she hasn't sent it to me yet. But, trust me, cute....Lordy, I hope people didn't think I was their mom?!

My girls.

Seeing Phantom was incredible. I've never seen it live before, but, love the movie (duh, Patrick Wilson and Gerard Butler, hello), and, I'm a sucker for plays, so, I knew it would be amazing, but, holy goodness.

Oh em gee. I can't even explain how great it was. Just hands down amazing. I'm trying to get myself back to NYC today to see it again. Les Mis is still my favorite, but, Phantom is definitely the most moving and emotional.
Although, the best part was watching Bailey's face during the whole thing--she was just transfixed. It was so great to share that with her.

She and I were both in tears at the end--the stage production is just so moving. And, I mean, come on, admit it, The Phantom is pretty sexy--don't deny it, you know I'm right. “No matter what he does, you gotta love him,”--> Bailey. She accuses me of being exactly like her mom, but guess what honey, you’re the same as her!

Of course, she and I sang the entire way back to the hotel--duh. It's been over a week and I've still got the songs stuck in my head!

I'm thinking when Paige and Taylor go to the NFR in Vegas this winter that sis, Bailey and I should tag along and go to Phantom in Vegas, haha.

It was a really fun night, but, kind of bittersweet for me because I know how much my mom would have loved it, she was the reason I love musicals so much—and seeing Lara with her girls, and Bailey totally in her element just made my heart swell. I want nothing more than to have that relationship with my daughters (yes, I have my order in for daughters, plural).

And why yes, you are correct, I've been listening to the soundtrack on repeat for the last two weeks and miiiiight have watched the movie twice since getting home. Maybe. It's possible. (still, not the same as the stage production)

Seriously, if y'all haven't seen Phantom on stage, DO IT. DO IT NOW.

Lecture over.

The City So Nice They Named It Twice

(New York, New York in case there was any question)

I had an amazing time with my girls in NYC, the trip was so much fun and I don't think I've laughed so hard or so much in ages.

I only get to see my sister and nieces every six months or so, if I'm lucky, so, this was a much needed treat. My nieces really are the light of my life, I love them so, so much. We were there to celebrate my baby niece getting into the Radio City Rockette Summer Intensive Program--only ten percent of girls who audition get in, and, duh, she was one of them.

So, apologies in advance for photo-palooza. I can't help it!

This was the view from our hotel room. Funny story, when I was in high school, my dad and best friend and I went to NYC for Spring Break and we stayed in the exact same hotel. My best friend and I got in massive trouble for hitting every button on the elevator--55 floors worth--now, of course, the elevators are all automated. I like to think we had something to do with that ;)

My sister and I at Shake Shack the first night. We didn't eat until like 10PM, but, ohmygah, so good.

Sis and baby niece--who's clearly not such a baby anymore. Boo.
Big niece's bff (and team roping partner), big niece and me at Shake Shake. Big niece and I are rockin' root beer floats and Taylor had a peanut butter shake. Which I was about ten seconds away from stealing.
Love these girls so much!
View from our breakfast locale in front of Anthro next to Radio City Music Hall each morning.

The Empire State Building.
The site of the World Trade Center where they are building the Freedom Tower. Whew. I cried. My niece was soooo embarrassed, but, she doesn't remember 9/11. I do.
Taylor and Paigey.
Me and my bloggy bff, Dollface who I finally got to meet! Love her to pieces!
Me and sis on our touristy bus ride. Yes, we are color coordinated, it's a sickness/we're the same person.

My nieces were cracking up at this-- "Oh my gawd, you're the same person!". Love.
Cupcake time!
We stopped at Magnolia Bakery every day on the way to or from picking up or dropping off Bailey at practice.
Paige and Taylor with their sign outside the today show. They made that the night before--our hotel room was covered in glitter for days!
Daniel Radcliffe!
My girls and their 15 seconds of fame. It was so cute, they got texts and calls all day from people back home who say them on TV.
After The Today Show we did more sightseeing and then that night had a fancy dinner and our night out on Broadway. Don't worry, I have a whole post for that!

On our last day in NYC, Lara (sis) and I got up super early to get to The Met to see the Alexander McQueen exhibit.

It was hands down, the coolest thing. Totally worth the time in line!
Erhm, slightly out of order, but, whatevs--The Statue of Liberty.
Me and Lara outside on the top of The Met.
The Arms and Armour exhibit was our favorite, which is hilarious. We decided it's because we have some sort of Cinderella complex and want a knight in shining armor to to rescue us.

Ahhh, the whole reason we were in NYC. Bailey is on the far right. Look at that high kick!

Bai and her friend Emily who also made it into the summer program.
Since Bai had been in rehearsal all week, she kind of missed out on all the touristy things (but, next year we're going to go earlier so she can enjoy the city), so, we spent Friday afternoon after her performance doing some fun stuff--like shopping.

Ever the performer, Bai doing her Elf impression on the escalator in Macy's. And I died laughing. (Please tell me someone gets the Elf reference!)
That evening we went to Top of The Rock and saw a guy propose to his girlfriend--it was so sweet! Of course, Bai and I were fawning over it! It was just the cutest thing.

Two of my girls!
And finally, gorgeous Bai.
I had so much fun. Spending time with my sister, my nieces and Taylor was just so much fun. I love those girls so much. Today, I'm totally homesick for them and keep harassing Taylor to put more pictures on Facebook, ha (she has some really cute ones!).

Whew. Can't wait until next year!

M.I.A

Hey, remember me? I used to blog here. No, really, I did.

Sorry I've been M.I.A! I've been busy.

Busy getting stuck in a downpour in Central Park....

Busy beating off wild bears in Montana....

But, I'm back! Back to civilization, and, I promise, lots of photos!

xoxoxo

A Tale of Two Cities

(or, maybe, one city and one teeny tiny town)

In two weeks, I'm going to NYC with my sister, my nieces and my older nieces BFF (I suspect this was the bribe necessary to get older niece to NYC). I am out of my mind excited. I'm excited to spend some time shopping with my sister, goofing of with my nieces and of course, seeing my baby niece (16 years old!) high kick it with The Rockettes--the whole reason we're going.


Cannot.Contain.Excitment. I've purchased a whole new wardrobe for the damn trip.

However, the fun doesn't stop there, oh no. Instead of coming back to Dallas, my dad thought it would be genius (genius, I say!) to have me fly from New York, to the family ranch.

So, I'll be going from glittering lights and sky scrapers, to this:

And, I'm actually excited about it! It'll be a total change of scenery considering I don't think they even have Internet at the ranch (and no cable, fyi), but, a few days hanging out with my family, relaxing by the river and begging someone to please, please find me a horse to ride will be just what the doctor ordered.

Summer Vacation 2011: NYC and Montana. Sure.

(images from here and here)

Sun Baby

First of all, thank you for all the sweet comments about my soldier baby brother, means a lot!

Also, I may have spoken too soon about him being single. I got an email from him mom yesterday because I was trying to track him down and she goes "Yeahhhh, you haven't heard from him because he met a girl. He's been home a week! They're been texting back and forth non stop. I can't get anything other than one word answers out of him!".

And I haven't stopped laughing since. Only he would meet a girl on his way back for R&R. And yes, I will turn into crazy big sister and semi stalk this chick.

MOVING ON.

What I really want to talk about is this: Mystic Tan Sunless Spray. I picked this up when I went in for my first spray tan of the season and of course, I was semi skeptical, but, because I am a sales persons dream, I bought it.

O.M.G.

Love at first spray.

Y'all, it's awesome. It does not turn you orange, it makes you actually TAN and is supah easy to use. I just spray it on in an hour or so before bed and then shower off in the morning. The only thing I've found is it can get a little blotchy, so, be sure to wipe off the spot where the color pools when you're spraying it on.

As a reformed sun baby, I love this. Gets you tan without the risk of skin cancer! Win win!

What are you favorite sunless products?

(I was not compensated for this post, blah, blah, I just seriously love this product! And a good tan!)

The Baby Brother

If y’all know me, you know I have an interesting family dynamic (but, honestly, don’t we all?). My folks divorced when I was a kid, and, to be honest, I still have some hostility about it (why yes, I do hold grudges, why do you ask?).

Because of this, I basically started adopting family members. I had a second “mom”, several “sisters”, a “big brother”, and, at some point, I gained a “baby brother”.

His mom worked with my dad and our families became really close. He was a total pain in the ass, but, I loved him like a brother. We were really close for years. He got to high school when I was a senior and I remember taking him home from school all the time, picking him up for basketball games and getting a fountain Coke and Hot Tamales at the market. And I’m pretty sure he duped me into getting him lunch on my off campus period.

He made me laugh, he picked on me, he hit on my friends, but, most importantly, he was there when it mattered. He was my little brother, after all.

And then, suddenly, he wasn’t so little anymore. He’s a grown up. And now, he’s a soldier.

I had the opportunity to see him a few weeks ago when he was on his way back to the West Coast for R&R. Things in the Army are always changing and it wasn’t until the night before when he emailed me from Germany that I knew it was a go.

I got to the airport bright and early, joined by military families and waited. And waited. And waited. And finally, my baby brother—who’s no longer a baby, was there. Standing in front of me, in his uniform and looking like a regular soldier.
I gave him the biggest hug I think I’ve ever given anyone and tried my damndest not to cry.

I was too flustered to get out my camera, but, these are a few pictures captured by the volunteers at the airport.


We had a few minutes together and I took him to his next gate, and we had a few minutes to laugh and just be. He made fun of my height. I tried to talk him out of moving to Florida when he gets out of the Army. He refused to let me help him carry his bags. He picked on my hair (it was humid, ok!), and I stood in awe of the man he’s become.

A final hug goodbye and “I’ll see you in two weeks” and he was off--headed home.

And I was fine. Until the little bastard wrote on my Facebook status. And then I lost it.

I’m so grateful to all the military families and friends. To those who sacrifice for us. I’m so blessed to have the freedoms I do, because of their service.

Thank you.

PS. Ladies, he’s single.